A products liability case against Florida-based arms dealer Century Arms Inc. could have a fallout that ricochets across the country, according to Miami plaintiffs lawyers Michael Levine and Gary Fox of Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain.

In September, Palm Beach Circuit jurors will decide whether Century Arms is liable for incorrectly labeling an antique military rifle that exploded in plaintiff James Fletcher's face because he'd unwittingly inserted the wrong ammunition.

As Century Arms is the largest manufacturer of assault rifles and the biggest importer of surplus guns in the U.S., Fox and Levine say they hope the lawsuit serves as a warning to other firearm companies about labeling standards.

“If there's a verdict in this case, everybody that imports these guns will know about it,” Fox said. “And hopefully, they'll put into process the necessary safety procedures to prevent this from ever happening again.”

The gun Fletcher bought was a Turkish 1890 Mauser 7.65 x 53mm caliber rifle, but it was stamped as being a Mauser Model 1898 8 x 57mm caliber rifle manufactured in Germany, according to the complaint. Fox and Levine claim that when their client fired the gun with the wrong ammunition, that caused an unintentional discharge, destroying Fletcher's right eye, shattering the bones in his face and injuring his right hand.

As that information was engraved onto the gun, there was “a ton of reasons to get this right,” the way Levine sees it.

It's the first time a gun owner has taken aim at an importer and labeler over such a mix up, according to Fox and Levine, so the case could pave the way for others like it. More than $10 million could be at stake, and Century Arms' integrity is on the line, the way Fox sees it.

“If people can't believe what's stamped on these rifles, then they're not going to sell many rifles,” Fox said.

Century Arms admitted the rifle was incorrectly marked but denied that it was to blame for the accident, arguing that the plaintiff should have properly inspected the rifle, safely handled and loaded it with the proper ammunition, as the company advises its customers to do. Century Arms has also claimed that Fletcher should have worn goggles to use the rifle, though Fox and Levine argue that wouldn't have protected his eye.

Lead counsel to Century Arms, Ryan Erdreich and Jeffrey Malsch of Pisciotti Malsch in New Jersey and New York declined to comment on the case. Local defense counsel are Amy Hurwitz, Jeffrey Cohen and Michael Sloan of Carlton Fields' Miami and West Palm Beach offices.

Few topics polarize the U.S. quite like gun control. And while lawsuits from parents of Parkland and Sandy Hook shooting victims seeking damages from gun-makers have proved controversial, Levine suspects this case is different.

“Universally, I think everyone would agree that if you're in the business of importing guns and selling guns, you want to make sure you're labeling them properly,” Levine said.

In Levine's view, jurors might also be surprised to know that one of the country's largest gun importers is on their doorstep.

The plaintiff, a Christian writer and essayist, originally filed the case in Arkansas, where he bought and shot the rifle. but Century Arms fought to move it to Palm Beach, closer to its Delray Beach headquarters.

Fox said he sees that as a good thing for his client.

“The wonderful irony of that is that Arkansas is a conservative, low-verdict area,” Fox said. “While Palm Beach County, Florida, is one of the highest verdict areas on the planet.”

Palm Beach Circuit Judge Jaimie Goodman is presiding over the case.

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